Senna Glycosides
About
Senna Glycosides belongs to the group of medicines called laxatives used to treat constipation. Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements in which the stools are often dry, painful, and hard to pass. Senna Glycosides is a natural medicine that contains 'Sennosides' (dried leaves of senna plant), also known as stimulant laxatives.
Senna Glycosides work by retaining the water inside the intestines, which causes easy movement of the intestine. It also irritates and stimulates the intestinal cells, and produces contractions in the intestines, which in turn causes an easy bowel movement.
Take Senna Glycosides with or without food. You are advised to take Senna Glycosides for as long as your doctor has suggested it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as flatulence (wind), abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Senna Glycosides for as long as your doctor has suggested. Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6-8 glasses) while taking Senna Glycosides. Do not take Senna Glycosides for more than a week as it might cause dependency on Senna Glycosides for a bowel movement. Consult your doctor before taking Senna Glycosides if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe you Senna Glycosides only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Senna Glycosides should not be given to children unless suggested by a child specialist. Do not take Senna Glycosides if you have galactosemia (galactose indigestion disorder). Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, or if you have to undergo a colonoscopy.
Uses of Senna Glycosides
Medicinal Benefits
Senna Glycosides belongs to a group of medicines known as laxatives used to treat constipation. Senna Glycosides work by retaining the water inside the intestines, which causes the intestine's easy movement. It also irritates and stimulates the intestinal cells, and produces contractions in the intestines, which in turn causes an easy bowel movement. It also acts by drawing water into the bowel and makes the stool softer and easier to pass, thereby provides relief from constipation. Senna Glycosides helps in normalizing the bowel movements.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Senna Glycosides
- Flatulence (gas)
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Senna Glycosides if you are allergic to any of its contents. Do not take Senna Glycosides with antacid medicines. To avoid hindrance in the working of Senna Glycosides, maintain a gap of one hour between Senna Glycosides and antacid medicines. Do not take Senna Glycosides unless suggested by your doctor. Talk to your doctor if there is no bowel movement or if you find rectal bleeding after taking Senna Glycosides. Do not take Senna Glycosides if you have galactosemia (galactose indigestion disorder). Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, or if you have to undergo colonoscopy. Consult your doctor before taking Senna Glycosides if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will prescribe you Senna Glycosides only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Senna Glycosides should not be given to children unless suggested by the doctor. Do not take Senna Glycosides for more than a week as it may cause dependency on Senna Glycosides for a bowel movement.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Senna Glycosides may have interaction with furosemide (used to treat oedema), docusate, and polyethylene glycol (used to treat constipation), ondansetron (used to prevent nausea and vomiting), water pills (diuretic drugs) and other laxative medicines.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Senna Glycosides may have interactions with irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal obstruction disorder, diabetes, and galactosemia (galactose indigestion disorder).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if suggestedSenna Glycosides does not interact with alcohol. However, you are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Senna Glycosides.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking Senna Glycosides if you are pregnant, your doctor will prescribe you Senna Glycosides if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether Senna Glycosides passes into the mother’s milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Senna Glycosides if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe you Senna Glycosides if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
safe if suggestedSenna Glycosides has negligible influence on your ability to drive.
Liver
safe if suggestedSenna Glycosides is safe to use if suggested by the doctor. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
safe if suggestedSenna Glycosides is safe to use if suggested by the doctor. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
safe if suggestedSenna Glycosides can be taken by children if suggested by a doctor
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Get enough sleep.
- Exercise regularly, and stay fit.
- Stay hydrated, drink enough water and fluids.
- Try maintaining a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Trying to make time to empty your bowels whenever the body tells you to.
- Eat food rich in fibre such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, flaxseed, nuts, beans, lentils, fruits (berries, apples, oranges, bananas, pears, figs), and vegetables (broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Constipation: It refers to infrequent bowel movements. The stools are often dry, painful, and hard to pass. Constipation is a medical condition in which the person has fewer than three bowel movements in a week. However, bowel patterns may vary from person to person. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, and feeling as if the bowel movement is incomplete. Constipation occurs when the normal muscle contractions in the large intestine slow down, which causes the incomplete elimination of the bowel from the body. Constipation could be associated with a sudden change of diet, a diet with less fibre, not drinking enough liquids, and lack of exercise.
FAQs
Tell your doctor if you have a bowel disorder such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, heart disease; or stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. Consult your doctor before taking Senna Glycosides in these conditions.
Senna Glycosides is usually advised to take before bed to cause a bowel movement 6-12 hours later when you wake up. However, it is better to ask a doctor to know the right time to take Senna Glycosides.
Senna Glycosides works by drawing water into the bowel and makes the stool softer and easier to pass, thereby provides relief from constipation.
It might take 6-8 hours for Senna Glycosides to show the effect of Senna Glycosides.
Diarrhoea might occur if Senna Glycosides is taken in larger doses. Drink lots of fluids and eat food rich in fibre if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience excess diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Do not take Senna Glycosides for more than a week as it might lead to dependency on Senna Glycosides for a bowel movement. Taking Senna Glycosides for longer durations might also cause dehydration, imbalance of fluids and salts in the body, affecting the tightness of muscles in the intestine. If your bowel movement is irregular even after taking Senna Glycosides for five days, consult your doctor.
